Canelo Alvarez might be preparing to leapfrog WBC mandatory challenger David Benavidez for a shot at the winner of the October 12th undisputed light heavyweight championship fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.
If Canelo does indeed step in front of Benavidez to challenge the Bivol-Beterbiev winner, it could have major implications for the 26-year-old "Mexican Monster." A particularly bitter outcome for Benavidez would be if Canelo were to win the undisputed 175-pound titles and then vacate them without giving Benavidez a chance to fight him. This scenario would leave Benavidez in the difficult position of having to collect the now-fragmented belts one by one, a task that many believe would be extremely challenging.
Canelo, who has expressed interest in avenging his 2022 loss to WBA light heavyweight champion Bivol, could see this as the perfect opportunity to reassert his dominance. The Mexican superstar has hinted that a rematch with Bivol is on his radar, particularly if Bivol emerges victorious and holds all four light heavyweight belts.
Canelo’s head movement is out of this world: Watch
However, the path forward is fraught with risks for Canelo. If Beterbiev were to win on October 12th, the challenge would be even greater. Known for his knockout power, Beterbiev could pose a significant threat to Canelo, potentially even ending the fight inside the distance. Despite these risks, the allure of becoming the undisputed champion at 175 pounds might be too tempting for Canelo to pass up.
Promoter Chris Algieri recently commented on the situation, noting that Canelo has the unique ability to maneuver within the sport in ways that few others can. "Canelo does whatever he wants. So if he wants to step in between and challenge Bivol in a rematch and cut in front of David Benavidez, he can, he would be allowed," Algieri said.
Read more about the upcoming Bivol vs. Beterbiev event here.
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